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From: "Vee L. Housman" <>
Subject: Re: Royalton Questions
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 14:15:52 -0400
References: <006a01c15f09$4d72d440$0c815a40@oemcomputer>


> 2. Is there any kind of written history on the german settlement at
Wolcottsville?

Dear Arlene,

This is what is contained in "Landmarks of Niagara County, New York," by
William Poole, 1897, Part I, pg.272

Wolcottsville, also, does not owe its existence to canal influence. It is
situated in the southeast corner of the town, near the Tonawanda
Reservation, which extends over the line into Royalton. The land on which
Wolcottsville stands was a part of 2,000 acres bought of the Holland Company
by Anson Wolcott. He settled there in 1847-48. Ehrick Sutherland had
"squatted" on a part of this tract at an early date. When Mr. Wolcott was
located he built a steam saw mill, where Charles H. Schad's store stood in
recent years. The mill employed a large number of hands while timber was
left to saw. After a few settlers had come in there, Mr. Wolcott, in 1851,
deeded his whole tract to four trustees, viz., Frederick Moll, Christian
Moll, Frederick Welland and Carl Martins, who laid it out in small lots and
in 1872-73 seventy-five families from Prussia settled here, drawing their
locations by lot. This gave rise to the name, Prussian Settlement, which
has been applied to the immediate section thus settled. After this transfer
was made Mr. Wolcott removed his saw mill across into Erie county.

Also, "Souvenir HIstory of Niagara County, New York," Pioneer Assoc. of
Niagara Co., 1902, added:

They [the Prussians] brought with them many of the characteristic customs of
the country whence they came, which has imparted to Wolcottsville an
individuality that is unique and which has drawn to it many visitors from
the surrounding country, especially on holidays when the people make merry
in their own peculiar way.

vee

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